I think
@penumbra has a great idea with his project and am very interested in seeing his results.
I have wintered over all my azaleas, Satsuki and a couple kurumes …. over 75 last winter (lots more this year!) in cold frames, dug in the ground inside with wood nuggets underneath for drainage and atop of the media for the past three years and haven’t lost a one….
Well… there were a couple that got crushed when it snowed and then rained last winter and both frames got dished in
. Front Royal likely gets a tad cooler than we do, but I’d say having in a cold frame over raised beds, up a bit off the ground ought to do the trick.
One experience I’d interject about growing close to the ground…. In my experience lacebugs seem to be more of an issue when in more sun and are placed closer to the ground. Not an issue if you are aware of it, recognize those little black spots (fecal pellets) on the underside of the leaves, and take action with
imidacloprid.
I’m not going to get in a media fight, but I admit I am curious to know what composition your much better performing media is? Guaranteed no comment will be given here, but I’m always up to gather more data on what works for others. Just for transparency I do use 90% kanuma and 10% pumice nowadays - so 90% of your big whoop.
Finally, I’ve found my satsuki’s and some kurumes out here like more sun then I originally thought, so siting would be my only comment, but I’m sure you have calculated for this.
cheers
DSD sends